New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-24
LIE INTERST1TE COMMISSION.

Every one will ask. now that the Interstate
Commissioners have been appointed. what in
depreciation they are likely 10 give the OK
cccdingly confused and pcrplcXing statute
under which they have to act. Judge Cooley,
whose name heads the list rs he is appointed
for six years will be- chairman of the Com
mission. it is announced in Democratic jour
rails. by the desire OF Colonel Morrison. He
is obviously better qualified by training as
lawyer and by experience as receiver OF n
great railway than any other member Of the
Commission. His published opinions regard
ing the relations Of corporations with the State
arc in many respects in harmony with those
which prompted tho Interstate act and q,
variance with those generally entertained by
railway managers and owners but he is a
Republican and not Communist in his bent
OF thought and since the publication in 1868
Of his work on Constitutional Limitations -
his writings have commanded high respect.
Thus it is natural that his opinion of The In
terstatc act should have much influence with
his associates, and in important matters there
is reason to believe that majority will agree
with him.
Mr.. Bragg, Of Alabama as member OF ,bc
mont, as Senator and lawyer deeply concerned
for years in railway legislation and litigation
have had especial opportunity to make a record
on questions concerning the relations between
corporations and the public, and both have
evoked the intense hostility of strong railway
| corporations While both have been in n
measure successful, Mr.. Bragg, in compelline
railroads 10 give irst-claSs accommodations far
iirst-class fares. and Mr.. Walker in controvcrsv
with the Central Vermont, as counsel of the
Vermont and Canada, the Delaware and Hudson
and the Rutland roads and as advocate If tbc
Railroad tax law and Railroad Commission
law, il is believed that neither has committed
himself TO any extreme corporaton.hating Or
Communistic conception of the relations of
Government to the railways Those members
would be likely 10 give the act a broad con-
struction, but there is nothing to warrant the
presumption that they will incline to give il
an extreme or destructive construction.
Colonel Morrison and Mr.. Schoopmal,cr arc
politicians who have had no personal expert
cnce in dealing with railroad problems. Bo.h
arc apt as politicians TO he much impressed by
the popular feeling which has led 10 the enact
mcnt and Mr.. Morrlson's hearty support of the
House bill justifcs the belief that he will strive
to interpret the act in harmony with the pre-
yailng Western opinion which Mr.. Reagan
represented. When it is considered that farm
crs in many parts Of New York have long
complained earnestly Of that railroad policy
which has enabled the distant dairy farms of
Ohio and other Western States TO compete in
this market, often with the advantage over the
nearer farms of Ulster and Orange counties, it
would not be strange if the Commissioner from
that region should sympathizc with those views
Thus it seems probable that the Commission
will be inclined to an Interpretation giving az
much force as possible to the vital features Of